Following the establishment of Command Task Force 151 (CTF 151) in January of 2009, the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) staff determined that it would be helpful to implement working-level meetings ashore to discuss counter-piracy coordination and deconfliction. Turkey fully recognizes the need for a robust international cooperation and coordination to cope with   multi-dimensional and complex issues pertaining to the threat of piracy and maritime security. Turkey therefore monitors and participates in the regional and international level pertaining to these issues.

Turkey believes that having established the Contact Group on Somali Piracy (GCSP) pursuant to UNSCR 1851 (2008), the acts of piracy off the coast of Somalia will be better addressed and the efforts placed to curb the threat will be much more effectively coordinated. Turkey is one of the founding members of CGSP and its proactive work and deliberations within the Group started off in New York in January of 2009 when the initiatives were discussed.

Turkey’s deployment of its earlier naval frigate ended with the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG 2) in December of 2008.The Turkish Parliament’s authorization in February of 2009 allowed for the Turkish naval frigate TCG Giresun to be deployed to the Gulf of Aden. In February of the same month the Turkish frigate joined CTF 151 in conducting operations to repress acts of piracy and armed robbery in the region.

On the 3rd of May, Turkey assumed the command of Command Task Force 151 from the U.S. Navy and the Turkish Naval Commander Rear Admiral Caner Bener is currently commanding CTF 151, which is based in Yemen. The international naval task force was established to counter piracy in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. CTF 151 operates in the Gulf of Aden and off the eastern coast line of Somalia and to some extend assisting the other CTF’s in times of need. The command staff is comprised of personnel from Turkey, the U.S., U.K., Pakistan and Greece. The command staff manages daily operations from the USS Gettysburg (CG 64) operating in the Gulf of Aden.

CTF 151 is a multinational task force established to conduct counter-piracy operations under a mission-based mandate throughout the CMF area of operations to actively deter, disrupt and suppress piracy in order to protect global maritime security and secure freedom of navigation for the benefit of all nations. Turkey is the second nation after the United States to command the UN-led Task Force, launched in January amid a wave of attacks in the Gulf of Aden by pirates from Somalia and the surrounding region.

Turkey supports the approaches placed forth by other nations in the efforts to curb piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Aden that contributed to its joining the international efforts aimed at suppressing the fight on piracy. Turkey, however believes that the efforts to scourge piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Aden are not easily suppressed by the presence of a multi forces, let alone the Rules of Engagement (ROE), or armed security guards or crew members on board commercial vessels arming themselves.

Turkey also takes into account the serious difficulties which befalls all navies operating in the Gulf of Aden and anywhere else in the world and that at some point, will definitely have to counter pressure that it will face based on sustainability of these navies. Very few nations will be able to individually maintain a strong naval presence so far away from their home bases for a long period of time. As I mentioned in a previous article on Somalian piracy in the Turkish Weekly Journal, having launched a naval military operation may be very possible, but sustaining them will be an endless effort and an arduous task. The pirates in Somalia are also not deterred by the current deployments of a large scale military operation.

Similarly, the presence of armed security guards or crew members on board of commercial vessels may lead to undesirable consequences instead of providing deterrence. But, this needs to be studied and may be the other only option to safeguard a commercial vessel without  utilizing government budgetary funds which may lead to domestic economic issues within nations of the multi forces.

The response from the international community against crimes at sea should be one which can offer better coordinated efforts at the regional as well as the international level which also include a comprehensive scope. Ultimately there is need to create a synergy amongst all nations and international actors concerned and addressing the issues pertaining to relevant disputes and conflicts and the stability of these governments within the Horn of Africa as well as the dimensions of the problem core area, including those related to the legal aspects.  If these issues are not dealt and addressed, the threat of piracy and sea crimes will continue and it will be difficult to repress or suppress the threat.

The presence of unprecedented response by multi forces in the region and its probable strongholds and support structure of the pirates ashore, the Somalian pirates could shift their operations to the other countries within the region. These areas can go across anywhere along the east coast line or further up north to the Indian Ocean where numerous smaller islands can be a haven for these pirates. Currently these islands are not patrolled or monitored as naval frigates are too large to maneuver through shallow waters. As such, contingency planning for a widening focus area of operations within the Horn of Africa should also be looked into to counter the possible shift.

Turkey’s concerns on the ambiguities on the prosecution of pirates and the related legal and procedural challenges undermine the vigor of combined international efforts to curb crimes at sea. United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1851 (2008) coupled with UNSC Resolution 1846 (2008) constitutes a step taken in the right direction as it provides a solid ground that will help cater to those ambiguities. Turkey stresses that the legal dimensions is especially crucial in the effectiveness in addressing the piracy problems.

The Working Group 2 (WG 2), which was established under the CGSP, could play a leading role in setting up a legal framework as well as practical arrangements between regional countries and the combined participation of the multi-national forces in order to clarify some pending issues concerning arrest, detention, prosecution, trial and extradition of suspected pirates and strengthen the cooperation in this regard. The WG 2 should also facilitate defining the rules and procedures for the duties of ship riders.

Lastly, Turkey strongly supports a lasting solution to the threats of piracy and crimes at sea, and recommends that the anti-piracy efforts are supported and complemented by concrete policies and measures taken to contribute to the establishment of law and order in the current disputed Somaliland. The international community should also strive to make sure that a sustained economic development in the region will foster a safer and a productive region.